Emergency calls put anniversary party on hold

CORNWALL Air Ambulance's 25th birthday party was interrupted twice on Sunday as the aircrew were called away from the celebrations for real life rescues.More than 100 volunteers and patients joined members of the charity team and trustees at the new headquarters and operations facility on the outskirts of Newquay to celebrate 25 years of saving life on April 1.And they got a birds'-eye view as the air ambulance paramedics and pilot were twice called away to attend emergency calls.

The first incident was to a two-year-old boy with breathing difficulties. The child was flown from the Launceston area to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth for treatment. Each year 80 patients airlifted to hospital in Cornwall are children and babies.

Later in the afternoon, the helicopter was tasked to a motocross event near Liskeard, where a young male competitor had suffered suspected neck and spinal injuries following a fall from his trials bike.

On both occasions partygoers were able to watch from yards away in the facility's community room as the helicopter took off.

The air ambulance was called to three other incidents over the weekend, including a road traffic collision near St Teath, where a male patient had to be cut free from the vehicle before being taken to hospital by helicopter. Pam Faulkner, who joined Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust as a trustee earlier this year, said: "Being right among the operations gave everyone a real sense of belonging. Seeing the helicopter take off and disappear into the distance really hammers it home that someone out there in Cornwall really needs it."

Cornwall launched the UK's first air ambulance in 1987. Chief executive, Paula Martin, said: "The charity and the whole air ambulance story has been a success story for Cornwall. There are now 18 charities like this all across the UK, with over 30 lifesaving helicopters in operation. The amazing thing is that apart from Scotland, they are all funded by public donations and fundraising, and just like us in Cornwall, depend almost entirely on the goodwill of local people and business to keep them flying.

"Countless lives have been saved over the years, and we simply could not imagine Cornwall without a vital air ambulance service to serve its community."

Anyone interested in getting involved with the charity fundraising, volunteering, or sponsorship, should call charity headquarters on 01637 889926.